Louisiana · LA
Louisiana Real Estate License Checklist (2026)
Every step, fee, and deadline on one page — designed to print cleanly to PDF and check off as you go.
Before you start
- You are at least 18 years old
- You hold a high school diploma or GED
- You can pass a criminal background check / fingerprinting
Education
You'll complete the 90-hour Real Estate 101 pre-licensing course from an LREC-approved school, online or in a live classroom. Heads up: Louisiana also requires a 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of getting your initial license, so budget for that too.
- Enroll in the 90-hour Real Estate 101 pre-licensing course with an LREC-approved school (online self-paced or live classroom) — typically $300-$700 depending on the provider and package.
- Complete the coursework and pass the school's final exam to earn your certificate of completion.
- Submit your completion certificate with your Salesperson License Application Part A to the LREC — this is what unlocks your authorization to sit for the state exam.
- After you're licensed, complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of your initial license date (those hours can also count toward part of your first year's 12-hour CE requirement).
Application & exam
- Submit Salesperson License Application Part A with your 90-hour course completion certificate and the initial application fee (about $90) to the LREC — by mail or in person. You must be 18+ with a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete the fingerprint-based criminal history review through IdentoGO (service code 27N4TH) — $60.75 for in-state digital fingerprinting ($95.74 out-of-state at an IdentoGO office; $55.75 by mailed fingerprint card). Louisiana State Police and the FBI both run your prints; this is required by Act 553 of 2022.
- Watch for an email from Pearson VUE after LREC processes your application — you'll schedule your exam and pay the $81 exam fee directly to Pearson VUE. Your authorization to test is good for one year with unlimited attempts (you pay each attempt).
- Pass both the national and state portions of the salesperson exam (70 scaled score on each).
- Submit Initial Real Estate License Application Part B with proof of errors & omissions (E&O) insurance and your sponsoring broker's information. You can buy E&O through the LREC group policy (prorated by month) or independently with a declarations page.
- No broker yet? You can request your license be issued in inactive status using the Request to Issue in the Inactive License Status form — no sponsoring broker or E&O needed until you activate.
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 90-hour pre-licensing course | $450 | |
| LREC license application (Part A) | $90 | |
| Fingerprinting & background check (IdentoGO, in-state) | $60.75 | |
| Pearson VUE exam (combo, first attempt) | $81 | |
| E&O insurance (LREC group policy, prorated — estimate) | $150 | |
| Estimated total | $831.75 |
Key deadlines
- Heads up: Louisiana also requires a 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of getting your initial license, so budget for that too.
- Annual — all Louisiana licenses expire December 31 each year; the timely renewal window runs August 1 through September 30, with delinquent fees after that ($50, then $200 for active licensees renewing November 16-December 31).
- Annual CE is 12 hours (your one-time 45-hour post-license course covers you initially).
- After you're licensed, complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of your initial license date (those hours can also count toward part of your first year's 12-hour CE requirement).
- Watch for an email from Pearson VUE after LREC processes your application — you'll schedule your exam and pay the $81 exam fee directly to Pearson VUE.
- Your authorization to test is good for one year with unlimited attempts (you pay each attempt).
- You can buy E&O through the LREC group policy (prorated by month) or independently with a declarations page.
- Most people finish in 2 to 4 months.